Sectional dispensing receptacle for small parts



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SECTIONAL DISPENSING RECEPTACLE FOR SMALL PARTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledMarch 1, 1954 n-rraeusys.

United States Patent SECTIONAL DISPENSING RECEPTACLE FOR SMALL PARTSCharles W. Doepke and Otmar L. Moehringer, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignorsto The Charles Wm. Doepke Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,194

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-129) This invention is directed to a receptacle forstoring batches of small parts, such as nuts and bolts, and for feedingthe parts by gravity to a dispensing position where they may be dippedout conveniently. The invention is addressed in particular to adispensing receptacle of sectional construction which may be utilizedeither as a single unit or erected in multiples to store and dispense anassortment of parts according to the particular requirements of thevarious industries.

The receptacle is intended particularly for use in factory operationswhich involve the handling of parts, for example, along an assemblyline, where a selection of parts must be presented to the workman in aposition convenient for use. In assembly operations of this kind, it isimportant that the selection of parts he maintained in a given positionto eliminate lost motion and mistakes; it is equally important that thesupply of parts be maintained in sufficient quantity at all times,otherwise the assembly procedure is interrupted.

In most instances, the workman or assembler dips manually into thereceptacle for the needed part or parts, for example, a bolt and nut ofa particular size, together with the required washers. For mostefi'icient operation, it is essential that the batch of parts of eachgrade or kind be located in a position distinct from the other grades,allowing the workman to reach instinctively for the required part as itis needed. In most operations, the parts are used up at a fairly rapidrate; therefore certain workers are charged with the responsibility ofsupplying fresh batches of parts to the assemblers as the supplies areexhausted.

Briefly, the present invention contemplates a vertical rack structurefor supporting one or a plurality of hoppers or bins which aredemountably cradledin the rack, each hopper being suspended in aninclined position and having an open spout at its lower end into whichthe parts flow by gravity to a dispensing position. The rack structurecomprises a base and sectional rack or holders arranged to beinterfitted vertically upon the base and upon one another in multiples.The individual hoppers, one for each holder and one for the base, arecradled one above the other within the base and within each holder, thelower portion of one hopper overhanging the upper portion of the hoppernext below it. In this position, the open spouts of the hoppers aresustained in horizontal tiers spaced one above the other, with the partsin them available for convenient selection. For supporting the hoppers,the upper end of each hopper includes bails which act as pivot bearings.The pivot bearings interfit open notches or slots formed in the base andin the holders; thus, the several hoppers may be demounted for refillingsimply by lifting them from their holders. The hoppers are of identicalconstruction and, if desired, reserve hoppers filled with batches of thevarious parts, may be kept at hand to replace the empty hoppers asrequired. In other operations in which the time element is not socritical, reserve hoppers need not be used; in-

2 stead, the empty hoppers may be demounted, refilled and then replacedon the rack.

The sectional construction of the rack assembly and interchangeablehoppers, lends a great deal of flexibility to the structure since anynumber of holders, within practical limits can be erected one uponanother to suit the requirements of a given assembly station. Ifrequired, additional rack assemblies may be attached alongside oneanother in battery formation for added capacity. On the other hand, ifan individual dispenser is required, the base of the rack assembly, witha single hopper mounted in it may be utilized.

The hoppers of the present invention are similar, at least in part, tothe structure disclosed in the patent to George E. Coursey, forContainer with Handle Stacking Means, No. 2,641,383, issued on June 9,1953. The containers of the patent are intended to be erected directlyone upon another in horizontal tiers when in use, and to be nestedcompactly together when in storage. For supporting the containers intiers, each container includes a pair of pivoted bails at opposite endswhich engage and support the bottom of the container above. When pivotedto a second position, the bails reside between the nested containers andprevent them from jamming together.

According to the present invention, a detachable cover, comprising a lidand spout, is secured in position upon the open face of the container toconvert it to a gravity feed hopper. The pivoted bails in the presentinstance serve two purposes: first, they are used to attach the cover tothe hopper; secondly, they provide the pivot bearings which interfit thenotches of the base and holders to support the hopper in inclinedposition.

The present sectional rack, combined with the lid and spout structure,thus takes advantage of the desirable features of the patented containerto provide a multiple dispenser which occupies the same or slightly lessfloor space, but which provides improved segregation of the batches ofparts and more convenient access to them. Preferably, the base of therack assembly is provided with two sets of notches, one set along itsupper portion and the second along its lower portion. These are locatedin positions corresponding to the pivoted ends of the bails whichproject outwardly from the side walls of the hopper. When cradled in thebase, whether used as a single unit or otherwise, the hopper within thebase is stabilized at top and bottom by the bail pivot bearings.

Other features and advantages of the invention are disclosed in thedetailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a hopper cradled in the base asan individual dispenser of parts.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a sectional rack interlocked withthe base and supporting a second hopper which overhangs the base hopper.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation, partially broken away, showingthe structural details of the interlocked base and sectional rackstructure of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the lid and spout structure for one of thehoppers.

Figure 5 is a side view of one of the hoppers with the lid removed.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the lid and spout structure as projectedfrom Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the hopper as projected from Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a multiple dispenser as sembly,generally similar to Figure 3, but having a slightly modified basestructure.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure8, detailing the sectional rack construction and the manner of attachingthe racks side by side in battery formation.

Figure is a cross sectional view taken on line 10-10 Figure 8, furtherdetailing the hopper construction.

General arrangement Referring to Figure l which shows the structureutilized as an individual dispenser of parts, the hopper, indicatedgenerally at 10, is cradled in an inclined position in the base 11 andfeeds the parts by gravity to an open spout 12 projecting from the lowerportion of the hopper. As the parts are dipped out of the open spout,additional parts flow by gravity from the hopper to maintain a constantmass of parts in the spout. The inclination of the hopper issubstantially greater than the angle of repose of the parts, and thelower portion of the hopper includes an outlet leading to the spoutwhich allows the parts to flow downwardly and forwardly from the hopper.

As shown in Figure 2, one or more hoppers may be suspended in tiers fromsectional racks or holders 13 which are interfitted telescopically oneupon another and upon the base. As described later in detail, the base.sectional holders and hoppers preferably are fabricated from sheet metalof welded construction. When assembled in multiples (Figures 2 and 8)the hoppers are each suspended by their upper ends from the sectionalholders, with the lower portion of each superimposed hopper overhangingthe upper portion of the hopper below it. The upper end of each hopperis pivotally connected as at 14 to the upper edge of its particularholder and the hopper, whether loaded or not, swings by gravity againstits lower companion hopper. Thus in the multiple hopper assembly ofFigures 2 and 8, the weight load of each suspended hopper is transmittedby the pivot bearings to the holders and base, while the lower portionof each hopper is stabilized by the one below it. In the multipleassembly, the several spouts 12 are located one above the other atsubstantial spacing to allow the workers to reach into them convenientlyfor the desired parts.

Each hopper is provided with a detachable cover or lid 15 including thespout 12, the lid having an opening 16 communicating with the spout,such that the parts within the hopper are confined by the lid and flowby gravity down the inclined hopper to the open spout. The lid 15 ofeach hopper is detachably secured to the hopper by means described laterand the hoppers are conveniently dismounted from the rack assembly whenemptly. For refilling, the lid is removed from the dismounted hopper, afresh batch of parts is placed in it and the lid structure is snappedback in position. The hopper is then hooked upon the rack assembly,causing the parts to flow by gravity into the open spout in availableposition.

The weight load of the collective hoppers is generally perpendicular tothe base 11, such that the assembly is normally in balance upon itssupport surface. However, when the rack assembly is built up to asubstantial height, it is preferable to attach the base permanently tothe work bench or other support surface by means of screws. If desired,the rack sections may also be attached to a wall or other perpendicularsurface for added stability. Referring to Figure 9, the rack sectionshave a configuration in cross section which allows them to be attachedtogether in side by side relationship to provide a battery of hoppers ofthe required selection of parts, as described in detail later.

Base and sectional racks Described in detail, the base 11 shown inFigures 1 and 3 is generally U-shaped in cross section, comprising arear wall 17 and a pair of side walls 18. The forward edges of the sidewalls are inclined outwardly from top to bottom and are provided withpairs of notches 20 at the respective upper and lower ends. The notchesreceive and confine the pivot bearings 14 which project from theopposite sides of the hopper and form a part of of the hopper bails 21which are described later. Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen thatthe pivot bearings 14 cradle the hopper at top and bottom in anoutwardly inclined position, with the hopper nested between the sidewalls of the base and with its spout projecting forwardly.

The base is provided with a bottom plate 22 having right angular flanges23 at opposite ends which seat against the internal surfaces of the sidewalls, the flanges being attached to the side walls by screws 24. Thebottom plate is further provided wtih holes 25 for attaching the base tothe work table, as noted earlier.

The holders 13 are generally U-shaped in cross section, as shown inFigure 9, corresponding essentially to the cross section of the base.The rear wall 26 of the holder is joined by side walls 27 which are lesswide than the side walls 18 of the base. The forward edges of the holderslope inwardly from top to bottom at. 28, the lower end 30 being of thesame width as the upper end 31 of the base. At their lower portions, thesloping edges 28 reside rearwardly of the notches 20 and lead to therearward edges of the notches. The edges 28 immediately above thenotches thus form guide surfaces which aid in inserting the pivothearings in the open notches.

The upper end 32 of the holder corresponds to the upper end 31 of thebase including the open notches 20 at its forward end. Accordingly, thelower end of the hopper above it interfits in the same manner, with theopen notches exposed to receive the pivot bearing 14.

It will be noted that notches of the base are delineated by curvedforward edges, indicated at 40, which join the edges of the side walls.The rearward edges of the notches are delineated by the vertical edges41 at top and bottom. The notches of the holders are substantially thesame except that the side walls jut forwardly from the notches in theform of square shoulders 42.

Referring to Figure 9, which illustrates the cross section of one of theholders 13, it will be noted that the outer end portions of the sidewalls 27 are displaced inwardly toward one another to provide theforward clearance, as indicated at 33 when the holders are connectedtogether in side by side relationship. The offset is provided by theangular sections, indicated at 34 intervening between the forward andrearward portions of the side walls. The side walls 18 of the base areprovided with a similar angular section 34a which corresponds in crosssection to the holders.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the lower edge of eachholder 13 is provided with a nested connector plate 35 which projectsdownwardly a substantial distance below the lower edge of the holder.The cou nector plate is generally U-shaped in cross section,corresponding to the cross section of the holder, as shown in Figure 9.Since the cross sections of the holders are identical to each other andto the base, the connector plate interfits snugly within the erectedsections.

Referring to Figure 3, the connector plate is attached permanently tothe lower portion of the holders preferably by spot welding as indicatedat 36. The lower portion of the plate is attached by bolts 37 to theside and rear wall of the base 11 as indicated. The holders and baseeach have holes 38 formed in their upper edges matching similar holes inthe connector plate to receive bolts 37. The base and holders areshipped to the user preferably in knock down condition, together withthe necessary screws and nuts and are conveniently erected at assemblysimply by placing the holders successively upon the base and upon oneanother and installing the screws.

As viewed from the side, the assembled rack structure provides a seriesof inwardly sloping edges terminating in the outwardly jutting shoulders42. The open notches allow the hoppers to be installed simply by placingthe grasses pivot bearings against the sloping edges above the notchesand then shifting the hopper downwardly to engage the bearings in thenotches; they are removed by lifting them upwardly and outwardly out ofengagement.

Modified rack assembly The rack assembly disclosed in Figure 8 issubstantially identical to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 except that thebase 11 is a composite structure comprising a holder 43 of slightlymodified construction having a bottom plate 44 attached to it. Thebottom plate 44 projects forwardly from the holder to stabilize theassembly as distinguished from the one-piece structure of Figure l. Theholder 43, which forms part of the base, is made somewhat longer thanthe holders 45 above it, the lower portion of holder 43 being flaredoutwardly as at 46 and attached by the screws 47 to the end flanges 48of the base plate The outer edges of the holders of Figure 8 areinclined inwardly from top to bottom as described earlier to expose thenotches 20. In the modified structure, the side wall portion above thenotch is curved as at 51 to guide the pivot bearing 14 into the notch.

The hoppers are suspended in the rack assembly in overhangingrelationship similar to the structure of Figure 3. However, the lowerend of the lowest hopper rests directly upon the base instead of beingsupported by the two pivot bearings 14. The modified structure isintended primarily for smaller, lighter hoppers and it is therefore ofsomewhat simplified construction.

Hopper and lid As explained earlier, the body of the hopper is similarto the container disclosed in the prior patent except for the additionof the lid which adapts the hopper to be mounted in an inclined positionin the rack assembly to confine the parts and to feed them to the spout.According to the earlier patent, the containers are stacked directly oneupon another resting upon the bails 21, the parts being available in theinclined open ends of the superimposed containers. It will be understoodhowever, that the hoppers need not follow the disclosure of the patent;other hopper structures, having generally similar characteristics, maybe utilized with the present rack structure.

Described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 7, each hopper isgenerally of rectangular configuration and includes a bottom plate 52, apair of side walls 53, and a pair of end walls 54, all formed of sheetmetal. The end walls 54 are identical and flare outwardly from thebottom plate toward the open top of the hopper. The side walls 53 alsoflare outwardly from the bottom toward the top but to a lesser extentthan the end Walls. The upper edges of the side walls include shoulders55 along opposite sides, terminating in outwardly spaced flanges 56.

In the present disclosure, the lid 15 fits between the side walls 53 andis thus confined laterally or widthwise (Figure 10). The opposite endsof the lid engage the opposite ends of the hopper, as described laterand thus suspend the lid across the open face of the hopper. As bestshown in Figure 5, the upper edges of the side walls, including theshoulders 55, are inclined downwardly at opposite end portions of thehopper as indicated at 57.

The opposite ends of the hopper are curled as at 59 to engage the lidand spout as described later. The bails 21, which are formed of rodstock, are generally U- shaped and comprise a cross bar 58 having rightangular arms 6% formed at opposite ends. The arms terminate in the pivotbearings 14 which are bent outwardly at approximate right angles to thearms. The pivot ends project outwardly through the flanges 56 at theinclined portion of the flanges to pivot the bails to the hopper.

The bottom plate and end walls of the hopper preferably are fabricatedfrom a single sheet metal blank which is suitably bent to provide theflaps 61 which overlie the side wall-s. The flaps are joined to the sidewall prefen ably by spot welding. The bottom of the hopper is providedwith notches 62 at opposite ends which are engaged by the bails if thehoppers are stacked directly one upon another as disclosed in theaforesaid patent.

In the present disclosure, the notch 62 at one end of the hopper may beutilized to partially bear the weight load of the loaded hopper. Therack assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3 is intended for relatively largehoppers which bear a considerable weight load when filled with metalparts. If the entire weight load is concentrated upon the pivot bearings14, there may be a tendency to spring the side walls of the holder. Forthe large sized hoppers therefore, each holder 13 may be provided with astirrup 63 which engages the notch as shown in Figure 3.

The stirrup is generally U-shaped, having pivot bearings 64 projectingoutwardly from the ends of its arms and having a cross bar 65 engaged inthe notch. The pivot bearings project through the side walls of theholder at its lower portion and the outer ends of the pivot bearings maybe flattened as at 66 to prevent withdrawal.

The lid structure 15 shown in Figures 4 and 6 is of sheet metalconstruction, comprising a plate 67 which is bent to provide slopingportions 68 and 70 at its opposite end portions. The plate and itssloping portions correspond. generally to the contour of the top of thehopper. The width of the lid is slightly less than the spacing of thehopper side walls 53 to allow the plate to fit between them. The sideedges of the lid proper are provided on opposite sides with flanges 69for stiffening purposes. As explained later, the sloping portion 70 isslightly yieldable and includes an angular catch 71 along its outer edgewhich interfits the curled edge 59 along one end of the hopper.

The opposite end of the lid includes the spout support frame, consistingof a plate 72 which, as viewed in Figure 4, projects forwardly from thesloping portion 68 in a plane corresponding to the end portion of thehopper which it interfits. Plate 72 is welded to the lid and includesthe outlet opening 16. The spout preferably is of welded sheet metalconstruction and includes a bottom 73, a front wall 74 and a pair of endwalls 75. The end walls include flaps 76 and 77 along their oppositeedges which are attached by spot welding to the support frame 72 and tothe front wall of the spout. The edge portion of plate 72 is welded tothe inclined end portion of the lid as indicated at 7-8.

At the juncture of the bottom 73 and plate 72, the spout is providedwith a hook 80 in the form of aright angular flange which engages thecurl 59 when the lid is placed in position upon the hopper. As bestshown in Figure 3, the lid is locked in position upon the hopper byengagement of the flange 80 with the curl 59 at one end, the oppositeend of the lid being locked in position by engagement of catch 71 withthe curl 59.

It will be noted in Figure 5 that the hopper is symmetrical, the endsbeing identical so that the lid structure may be applied in eitherposition. Upon being placed upon the hopper, the lid is slipped beneathone of the bails with the hook 80 engaging the curl 59 at the lower endof the hopper. The free end of the lid, which includes the yieldableportion 76 and catch 71, is now forced against the upper end of thehopper, causing the catch to spring over the curl 59 in detent fashionto latch the free end of the lid. This secures the lid under tensionbetween the curls 59 at opposite ends.

A keeper 81, in the form of a right angular flange, engages the bail asthe lid is slipped in position on the hopper. The keeper locks the bailout of the way so as not to interfere with the spout opening. The bailat the opposite end is utilized to suspend the hopper and its cross barpreferably is swung to an inoperative position (Figure 3).

The spout structure is firmly attached to the end of the hopper byengagement of the hook 80 with the curl at the 7 spout end of the hopperas shown in Figure 3. The filled hopper is then installed in itsinclined position in the rack assembly as explained earlier. It will benoted that the inclined ends of the hoppers assume a substantially levelposition when placed in the rack assembly, in plane with the bottom ofthe spout.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the structuresshown in Figures 3 and 8 both provide the advantages of convenientlyerected sectional receptacles which may be utilized selectively as anindividual unit or in the desired number of multiples. In bothstructures, the batches of parts are replenished conveniently andquickly as the hoppers become exhausted.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. A sectional dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a base, aplurality of sectional holders, the base and holders each having avertical rear wall, a pair of vertical side walls spaced from oneanother and having rearward edges joined to the rear wall, the forwardedges of the side walls delineating an open face, connecting means onthe end portions of the holders joining the holders in endwiserelationship to one another and to the base, the holders providing arack assembly rising vertically from the base, the edges of the sidewalls of the base and holders along said open face having notches formedtherein, said notches being disposed in horizontally aligned pairsspaced one above the other, a plurality of hoppers, each of said hopperscomprising a generally rectangular closed container for the parts, thecontainer having an opening at one end portion and having an open spoutprojecting outwardly from the said lower end portion in communicationwith the said opening, said hoppers each having a pair of pivot bearingsprojecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof at the end opposite thesaid opening and spout, the said hoppers being demountably cradledrespectively within the open face of the base and holders with the pivotbearings of the hoppers engaged in the respective pairs of notches ofthe base and holders, the hoppers being suspended in downwardly inclinedpositions one above the other with the lower portion of each hopperoverhanging and resting against the upper portion of the hopper below itand with the respective spouts projecting outwardly from the lower endsthereof, thereby to feed the parts by gravity from the containers intothe spouts.

2. A dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a rack assembly having arear wall, a pair of generally parallel vertical side walls spaced fromone another and extending at right angles from the rear wall, theforward edges of the side walls delineating an open face, the edges ofthe rack assembly along said open face having notches formed therein,said notches being disposed in horizontally aligned pairs spacedvertically one above the other, a plurality of closed hoppers for theparts, each hopper being generally rcctangular and having a substantiallength, each hopper having an opening at one end portion and having an 4open spout projecting outwardly from the said end portion incommunication with the said opening, said hoppers each having a pair ofpivot bearings projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof at theend opposite to the opening and spout, the length of each rectangularhopper being fractionally greater than the vertical spacing of saidpairs of aligned notches, the said hoppers being demountably cradledwithin the open face of the rack assembly with the pivot bearings of thehoppers engaged in the notches of the rack assembly, the rectangularhoppers being suspended lengthwise by said pivot bearings and hanging bygravity in generally vertical, forwardly inclined positions one abovethe other with the lower portion of each hopper overhanging and restingagainst the upper portion of the hopper below it and with the respectivespouts projecting outwardly from the lower ends thereof, thereby to feedthe parts by gravity from the hoppers through the said openings into thespouts.

3. A dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a rack structure havinga rear wall, a pair of generally parallel vertical side walls spacedfrom one another and extending forwardly from the rear wall, the forwardedges of the side walls delineating an open face, hopper support meanson the side walls of the rack structure, said means disposed inhorizontally aligned pairs spaced vertically one above the other, aplurality of hoppers, each of said hoppers comprising a generallyrectangular closed container for the parts, each hopper having asubstantial length and having an outwardly facing wall, said wall havingan opening formed therein at one end of the hopper, said hoppers eachhaving a pair of suspension elements projecting outwardly from oppositesides thereof at the end opposite to the said opening, the length ofeach hopper being fractionally greater than the vertical spacing of thealigned pairs of hopper supports means of the rack structure, the saidhoppers being demountably cradled within the open face of the rackstructure with the suspension elements engaged in the hopper supportmeans of the rack structure, the rectangular hoppers being suspendedlengthwise by said suspension elements and hanging by gravity ingenerally vertical, forwardly inclined positions one above the otherwith the lower portion of each hopper overhanging and resting againstthe upper portion of the hopper below it with said openings facingoutwardly, thereby to feed the parts by gravity from the hoppers to thesaid openings.

4. A dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a rack structure havinga vertical rear wall, a pair of generally parallel side walls spacedfrom one another and extend ing forwardly from the rear wall anddelineating an open face, the edges of the side walls along said openface having notches formed therein, said notches disposed in horizontalaligned pairs spaced one above the other, a plurality of hoppers for theparts, each hopper being generally rectangular and having an opening atan end portion thereof, each hopper having an open spout projectingforwardly from the said end portion in communication with said opening,each hopper having a pair of pivot bearings projecting outwardly fromthe opposite sides thereof at an end opposite the spout, the hoppersbeing demountably cradled within the open face of the rack assembly withthe pivot bearings engaged in the notches thereof, the hoppers beingsuspended in downwardly inclined positions one above the other with thelower portion of each hopper overhanging and resting against the upperportion of the hopper below it with the open spouts projecting outwardlyfrom the lower ends thereof, respective stirrups mounted in the rackassembly, one for each hopper, each stirrup being generally U- shapedproviding a pair of limbs and a cross bar, the outer ends of the limbsbeing connected to the side walls of the rack assembly, each hopperhaving an inset portion extending transversely across the lower endthereof, the cross bar of the stirrup being engaged in said insetportion, whereby the stirrup partially supports the weight load of thehopper.

5. A dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a rack structure havinga vertical rear wall, a pair of generally parallel side walls spacedfrom one another and extending forwardly from the rear wall, the forwardedges of the side walls delineating an open face, hopper suspensionmeans on said side walls, a plurality of hoppers for the parts, eachhopper being generally rectangular and having an opening at an endportion, each hopper having a pair of suspension elements projectingoutwardly from the opposite sides thereof at an end opposite saidopening, the hoppers being demountably cradled within the open face ofthe rack assembly with the suspension elements engaged in the suspensionmeans of the rack assembly, the hoppers being suspended in downwardlyinclined positions one above the other with the lower por' tion of eachhopper overhanging and resting against the upper portion of the hopperbelow it, respective stirrups mounted in the rack assembly, one for eachhopper, each stirrup being generally U-shaped providing a pair of limbsand a cross bar, the ends of the limbs being pivotally connected to theside walls of the rack assembly, the cross bar of the stirrup extendingtransversely across the lower end of the hopper and engaging the same,whereby the stirrup partially supports the weight load of the hopper.

6. A dispensing receptacle for parts comprising a holder having avertical rear wall, a pair of vertical side Walls spaced from oneanother and having rearward edges joined to the rear wall, the forwardedges thereof delineating an open face, the forward edges of the sidewalls having a pair of notches formed therein, said notches beingdisposed in horizontal alignment, a hopper including a bottom,respective pairs of side and end walls and a detachable lid, latch meansmounted on the lid at opposite end portions thereof, cooperating latchmeans on the end walls of the hopper engaging the latch means of the lidand securing the lid to the hopper, an open spout attached to an endportion of the lid, said spout having a bottom, a front wall and a pairof end walls, the lid having an opening providing an outlet passagewayfrom the interior of the hopper to the spout, respective pivot bearingsprojecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the hopper at the endopposite the spout, said hopper being demountably cradled in the openface of the holder in an inclined position with the spout disposed atthe lower end thereof, thereby to feed parts within the hopper bygravity to the spout, the pivot bearings being detachably engaged in thenotches of the holder and supporting the hopper in said inclinedposition.

7. In a dispensing receptacle for parts including a holder having a pairof side Walls delineating an open face and including hopper suspensionmeans, a hopper adapted to be mounted in an inclined position withinsaid holder, said hopper comprising a bottom, respective pairs of sideand end walls, said end walls having outwardly protruding upper edgeportions, the hopper having an open top, a lid fitted upon the open topof the hopper, the lid having an opening at one end portion thereof, aspout mounted upon the lid and communicating with said opening, agenerally right angular keeper projecting downwardly from an end portionof the lid, said right angular keeper engaging the protruding edgeportion at one end of the hopper, a yieldable catch at the opposite endof the lid, said catch extending substantially at right angles to theplane of the lid and projecting downwardly toward the hopper, said catchbeing sprung over the protruding edge portion of the end wall at theopposite end of the hopper and detachably securing the end of the lid tothe hopper, and hopper suspension elements on the hopper at the endportion opposite the spout, the suspension elements being engageablewith the suspension means of the holder to suspend the hopper indownwardly inclined position in the holder with the spout projectingoutwardly from the lower end of the hopper to feed the parts by gravityfrom the hopper to the spout.

8. A sectional rack for suspending a series of hoppers one above theother in inclined relationship, the hoppers having pivot bearings forsuspending the same in the rack, said sectional rack comprising, aplurality of sectional holders, each holder having a vertical rear walland a pair of generally parallel spaced side walls extending forwardlyfrom the rear wall and delineating an open face, the forward edges ofthe side walls along the open face sloping inwardly from top to bottomwith the top portion of the side walls providing upwardly facingshoulders jutting forwardly beyond the lower edges of the holder aboveit, said shoulders having respective pairs of open notches formedtherein, said notches being in horizontal alignment with one another, aconnector plate attached to the lower end portion of each holder, saidconnector plate projecting outwardly from the lower end of the holderand interfitting the top portion of the holder below it, the connectorplate and holder which it interfits having matching apertures, andattachment elements projecting through said apertures and securing theholders in endwise relationship one above the other, the pivot bearingsof the respective hoppers interfitting the pairs of notches of theholders to suspend the hoppers one above the other from the sectionalrack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,240,908 Weis et a1. Sept. 25, 1917 2,013,284 Michaud Sept. 3, 19352,047,097 Dunbar July 7, 1936 2,582,207 Shaw Jan. 8, 1953 2,662,671Almas Dec. 15, 1953

